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City of Clear Lake, Iowa company history timeline

1871

The City of Clear Lake was incorporated on May 26, 1871.

1877

The first bandstand was built in 1877 at the City Park.

1889

The town grew and built its first library in 1889.

1909

In 1909, Bayside Amusement park opens for the first time.

1920

The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, which traces its roots to the 1920’s, for many decades served as the community’s de facto economic development organization as well as its chamber.

1932

The first North Iowa Band Festival was organized by John Kopecky and others in 1932.

1933

In 1933, the Surf Ballroom opened up on the site of the old Tom Tom ballroom that has been destroyed by fire.

1966

1966 - Handicap Village incorporated Nov.

1969

1969 - Site purchased in Clear Lake in January; D.A. Boyer appointed Executive Director in November.

1970

1970 - First "Youth March" in April; first cottage ground-breaking on Oct.

1972

1972 - Village General Store opened in August; first phase of Kinney-Lindstrom Activity Center dedicated in October.

1973

1973 - Four more cottages opened between June and November.

1974

1974 - Four more cottages opened between March and June.

1977

1977 - Completed Kinney-Lindstrom Center dedicated in June.

1980

1980 - Ralph Schroeder Group Home in Clear Lake opened in July.

1983

1983 - Purchase of Clear Lake 4-plex Supervised Apartment in July; Ralph F. Schroeder appointed Interim Director in November following the death of Don Boyer.

1984

1984 - Gary L. Mrosko appointed Executive Director in July; Mason City Apartment Training program opened in December; one-year initial accreditation granted by Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in December.

1989

1989 - Opening of Monroe House in January and Country Circle Home in April, both in Mason City.

1992

1992 - Opening of Village General Store at new location in Maplewood Plaza in November.

1994

1994 - Name changed from "Handicap Village" to "Opportunity Village"; Wright House purchased to house Mason City Services.

1996

1996 - 25th anniversary of services celebrated; first Festival of Trees.

1999

1999 - 30th Annual Benefit Walk in May; new kitchen opened in Kinney-Lindstrom Center.

2002

2002 - John L. Severtson named Executive Director in January; Village General Store celebrated 30 years of operation in November.

The MCEDC and CLEDC first formed a strategic relationship in 2002 by forming the North Central Iowa Growth Partnership, an economic development partnership whose impetus was the necessity for a joint-community effort in recruiting a major employer considering locating in the area.

2004

The NCIGP was ultimately instrumental in securing another major project, the $400 million, 500 megawatt Alliant Energy Emery Generating Station in rural Cerro Gordo County in 2004.

2004 - "Keeping the Course" Campaign began, to build addition to Kinney-Lindstrom Center.

2006

2006 - Ribbon cutting to open new addition to the center in August.

2010

2010 - Northwoods Living in Fort Dodge joins the Village in January; donations for the annual Benefit Walk surpass $100,000 for the first time.

2011

The North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation is the product of a 2011 merger of the Mason City Economic Development Corporation and Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation.

2012

2012 - Opportunity Village announces plans to transition people from cottage homes on original campus to smaller homes integrated in communities.

2014

2014 - John Severtson retires as Chief Executive Officer; Jeff Nichols named new CEO in July; Children's Autism Center opens location in former Morning Sun Cottage.

2017

2017 - Successfully transitioned 120 individuals living in RCF cottages located on the Clear Lake campus to homes in communities of their choosing.

2017 - Name changed from "Opportunity Village" to "One Vision."

2018

2018 - Broke ground on Clear Lake campus redevelopment.

2019

2019- Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Benefit Walk in Clear Lake in September.

2019 - TimberCrest Apartments at Glen Oaks opens in November.

2020

2020 - Tried & True opens in Clear Lake and Tried &True Mason City moves to Osage

2020 - Host Home program launches

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Founded
1871
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